As I mentioned in my recent round-up of November favorites, lately I’ve been gravitating towards beauty products with a bit of sparkle. They lift my mood, at a time of year when I tend to be somewhat grumpy (more so than ever this year! yay!) and they work well for day-to-evening situations when holiday parties start to pop up on the calendar…

My recent impromptu visit to the MAC boutique on Fifth Avenue resulted in two purchases: Eye Kohl in Prunella, which is fast becoming an everyday staple for me, and Pressed Pigment in Nostalgia. Nostalgia is a limited edition product from the holiday Heirloom Mix collection.

And here it is, opened. Nostalgia is decribed by MAC as a “soft light salmon beige.” I think it’s more of a rosy champagne. The Pressed Pigment formula is new to me, and I like it. It’s a solid, slightly creamy powder shadow/highlighter that can be applied dry (for a sheer shimmer) or dampened (for deeper pigmentation).

The lovely makeup artist who assisted me at the MAC boutique applied Nostalgia to my eyelids with a fingertip, tapping it onto the skin and patting it gently to blend. She concentrated the pigment on the centers of my lids, spreading it out just a bit. I was already wearing my everyday Wet ‘n’ Wild Walking on Eggshells shadows that day, and Nostalgia added a touch of magic.

Here’s a swatch. Nostalgia is less pinkish on skin than it appears in the pot. It has a very, very fine shimmer with minimal “fallout.” It’s really a versatile neutral highlighter that would work well over various eyeshadow shades. It adds a subtle, warm sheen, as though you were carrying your own candlelight around with you.

Here’s one more shot of Nostalgia in its glittery black pot.

Do you have any favorite products for holiday “looks”? Feel free to share!

MAC Pressed Pigment in Nostalgia sells for $21 at MAC boutiques and many department stores.